How to build Smart Energy Regions

General Information

This joint event organised by the Technology Region Karlsruhe and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) discussed how regions and local communities could contribute to reaching ambitious and sustainable greenhouse gas emission reduction targets in the energy sector.

The event addressed representatives of the local and regional government level in different European regions, scientists and experts as well as representatives of the European Commission to discuss good practices and innovative concepts for smart energy solutions at local and regional level.

Background
The JRC analyses the regional development of various renewable energy technologies, as well as the status and future trends of the energy market in the different EU regions. It also assesses renewable energy resources, regarding availability, logistics and economic performance at regional level. The JRC is also performing comparative regional-level cost-benefit and security analysis for a cost-effective, reliable and secure development of the power system with a high share of renewables.

The JRC also runs the Smart Specialisation Platform for Energy which supports the optimal and effective uptake of the Cohesion Policy Funds for energy, provides guidelines and scientific support for the creation of regional expert clusters to design, and evaluate and monitor the Sustainable Energy Action Plans of the Covenant of Mayors initiative. In addition, the JRC also assesses the integration of the Baltic States' electricity network into the Nordic market and the EU electricity market and gives scientific support to the EU Strategy for the Danube region.

The event had:

Brought together approximately 120 local and regional government representatives from different European regions, scientists and experts as well as representatives of the European Institutions;

Contributed to the assessment of how regions and local communities can achieve ambitious and sustainable greenhouse gas emission reduction targets in the energy sector;

Given participants the opportunity to discuss and exchange good practices and innovative concepts supporting local and regional low-carbon energy policy.